Strap or rein fastener



Q10 Model.)

G. H. ZEIS.

STRAP OR REIN FASTENER.

Patented Aug. '7, 1888.

N. PETERS. Phnlo-hlhngmpher. Wushmgicn, D. c.

NIIED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. ZEIS, OF CROMERS, OHIO.

STRAP OR REIN FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 387,478, dated August 7,1888.

Application filed November 25, 1887. Serial No. 256.091. (No model.)

citizen of the United States, and a resident of Oromers, in the county of Seneca and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Strap or Rein Fasteners; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which'it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing my new and improved hitching-strap and linefastener secured in operative position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the fastener, and Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the fastener.

The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

My invention consists in a new and improved hitching-strap fastener which is also adapted to be used as a line-fastener, as hereinafter described, and my invention will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Referring to the several parts by letter, A indicates the body of my new and improved fastener, which consists of a plate, preferably of malleable iron, which is formed with a longitudinal slot, B, or in place of this slot it may be formed with a longitudinal recess in its outer side, which would operate in precisely the same manner as the longitudinal-slot. The upper longitudinal edges of this slot or recess are squared at a right angle,so as to form sharp longitudinal edges, as clearly shown in the sectional view, Fig. 3, of the drawings.

The plate A is formed with the tongue 0, which extends from one end of this slot along over the top of the same, its free end, D, curving outward, as shown, for convenience in slipping the hitching-strap or reins into the holder under the said tongue, and the lower side of this longitudinal tongue is flush with the upper side of the recessed or slotted plate The lower longitudinal edges, E E,of this tongue are squared off at right angles, so as to form sharp longitudinal edges, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, for the purpose hereinafter specified.

When used as a fastener for a hitching-strap,

the plate A is riveted or otherwise firmly secured to the back-band of the harness just above the tug of the same, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the ends of the said plate A being formed with the apertures or holes F F, to adapt it to be thus secured upon the backband,with the hook or tongue 0, of course, outward, and with the free end of the tongue upward. It will now be seen that instead of stopping to tie the free end of the hitching-strap G in the ring of the back-band, it can be instantly secured by slipping its free end portion down in the fastener under the tongue 0, when the strap will be securely held as it is bent or curved under the tongue, and by forming the longitudinal edges I I of the plate-slot and the lower edges, E E, of the tongue sharp, as shown and described, the said sharp edges will operate to hold the hitching-strap more securely than they could if they were formed rounded, and thus prevent the strap from slipping out except under a sharp pull. At the same time, although the hitching-strap is thus securely held, if the horse should get his leg tangled in or over the hitching-strap, it will jerk out of the holder, leaving the horse free, and preventing any breakage or damage, which is liable to occur if the strap is tied.

From the foregoing description,taken in con nection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, operation, and advantages of my new and improved fastener will be readily understood.

It will be seen that my fastener, while exceedingly simple and strong in construction, so that it can be easily manufactured ata small cost, is very efficient and convenient in use. It can be readily bolted or riveted to the backband, and the hitchingstrap can be secured in a moment, and at the same time making a neater job, while, should the horse become entangled in the strap, it will jerk out of the holder, and thus prevent breakage or other damage.

This device can be also employed as a line or rein holder by bolting in a suitable position to the dash-board of a vehicle, as will be read ily understood.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-- The fastening device for hitching straps herein described, consisting of a plate having In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my a longitudinal slot the upper longitudinal own I have hereunto affixed my signature in I0 edges of which are squared off to form right presence of two witnesses.

an des and a ton ue extended from one end of this slot along? over the top of the same, CHARLES ZEIS having its free end curved outward, thelower Vitnesses: side or edges of the tongue being flush with AUGUSTUS SKRAUSEWFKY, the plate and squared off to form right angles. GEORGE N. SHAULL. 

